Mamdani slammed for hyperlink to Twitch streamer who stated ‘America deserved 9/11’

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Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo hosted a press convention days earlier than the twenty fourth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assaults in New York Metropolis, the place audio system criticized Zohran Mamdani for associating with a Twitch streamer who as soon as declared, "America deserved 9/11."

Steps from Floor Zero in Decrease Manhattan, Cuomo stood alongside Sal Tururici, a longtime Fireplace Division of New York Metropolis (FDNY) emergency medical technician (EMT) and 9/11 first responder who was later identified with terminal most cancers.

"I'm calling on Zohran Mamdani to disavow Hasan Piker and his hateful phrases. His affiliation with Hasan Piker disqualifies him to serve in any function for New York Metropolis, not to mention one as essential as mayor," Tururici's spouse, Wendi, who grew to become an EMT following 9/11, stated throughout Tuesday's press convention.

The Cuomo marketing campaign displayed posters of Mamdani and Piker posing collectively from earlier this yr, in addition to a picture of Piker from his Twitch stream, the place he claimed in 2019 that "America deserved 9/11."

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New York Metropolis mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has been criticized for affiliating with Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer who stated in 2019, "America deserved 9/11." (Bing Guan/Reuters)

The Mamdani marketing campaign responded in a press release, "Andrew Cuomo is aware of precisely what he’s doing. He’s holding a press convention to counsel that Zohran Mamdani — who's poised to change into New York’s first Muslim mayor — someway supported 9/11. It’s vile, it’s harmful, and it’s deliberate."

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The Mamdani marketing campaign argued that Cuomo has "used Muslims as handy punching baggage for many years."

"New Yorkers can see this for what it's — a cynical try to recycle the ugliest playbook in our politics. Cuomo just isn't defending the reminiscence of 9/11 victims; he’s as soon as once more desecrating it by weaponizing grief and ache for his personal ambition," the marketing campaign added.

Piker himself echoed the Mamdani marketing campaign's rebuttal throughout his livestream on Tuesday, Mediaite reported.

"These guys are extremely determined, and so they’ll get much more racist because the election nears," Piker stated, arguing that Cuomo is "leaning on Islamophobia."

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks throughout a press convention on the Occasions Sq. Sheraton on Aug. 21, 2025, in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photographs)

Piker has attempted to clarify his feedback since they went viral in 2019, acknowledging it was "inappropriate." However Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., cited Piker's comments in a letter to Twitch executives final yr, urging them to "cease popularizing those that popularize antisemitism."

After Mamdani appeared on Piker's Twitch stream earlier this yr, he told POLITICO , "I'm keen to talk to each particular person about this marketing campaign, and I’ve stated that from the start."

Cuomo didn't tackle Piker's feedback straight throughout Tuesday's press convention, however Wendi Tururici stated Mamdani's affiliation with Piker isn't just politics, however "life and demise."

The Tururici household endorsed Cuomo's New York Metropolis mayoral marketing campaign on Tuesday.

New York Metropolis Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani spoke to supporters at a canvass launch occasion in Prospect Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (Deirdre Heavey/Fox Information Digital)

"This isn't simply politics, that is private," Cuomo stated. "Sal’s story is a reminder of why this work issues. These advantages saved lives and honored sacrifice. Management is about life and demise, defending New Yorkers, doing the exhausting work, and delivering when it issues most."

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Cuomo's press convention was hosted simply eight weeks earlier than Election Day, as The New York Occasions/Siena School ballot performed from Sept. 2–6 and released Tuesday morning revealed that the previous governor is trailing Mamdani by 22 factors.

The Cuomo marketing campaign additionally confirmed to Fox Information Digital on Tuesday two new hires within the remaining dash to Election Day — veteran Democratic marketing campaign strategist Greg Goldner and Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher.